The riots of January 4, 1959 in Léopoldville (Kinshasa) remain significant events in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This tumultuous day was the scene of political and social conflicts which deeply shook the city.
At that time, the tension was palpable. On the one hand, the football match between MIKADO and V.Club had disappointed the supporters, exacerbating frustrations. On the other hand, the political meeting of Joseph Kasavubu, leader of ABAKO, was canceled, causing discontent among his supporters.
The explosive mixture of these two disappointments led to widespread riots. The working-class neighborhoods of the “Indigenous City” were particularly affected. The rioters, driven by growing anger, attacked the symbols of colonization, pillaging and ransacking signposts, churches and schools attended mainly by the Belgian community.
Rumors and legends quickly grew, giving a mystical dimension to these events. It was said that the rioters were ghosts with supernatural powers, that white nuns had been assaulted and that sacred objects had been desecrated. These stories fueled anti-colonialist discourses and reinforced demands for immediate independence.
Faced with this chaotic situation, the Public Force intervened firmly, arresting the leaders of ABAKO and bringing them to justice. Rumors continued to circulate, with the fruitless hunt for the fugitive Kasavubu and accounts of penitential punishments meted out to Christians accused of stealing and desecrating sacred objects.
These events precipitated the events that led to Congo’s independence. The King of the Belgians delivered a historic speech on January 13, 1959, launching the country’s independence project. This led to the holding of the Brussels Round Table where discussions on independence were accelerated.
The riots of January 4, 1959 in Léopoldville (Kinshasa) remain an important chapter in Congolese history. They helped catalyze independence movements and paved the way for the creation of the Democratic Republic of Congo as we know it today. It is essential to remember these events to understand the political evolution of the country and the struggles that shaped its history.